Scottish Government

Meeting of the Dewar cabinet 1999

The Queen at the Scottish Parliament (15242836608)

Scotland's Deposit Return Scheme stakeholder meeting

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First Minister outside Bute House

Permanent Secretary's office (3828921835)

Cabinet meeting

Scottish Government

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. It is responsible for most of the issues of day-to-day concern to the people of Scotland, including health, education, justice, rural affairs, and transport. The government is led by the First Minister of Scotland, who is elected by the Scottish Parliament and is responsible for the overall coordination and promotion of the executive's policies.

History

The Scottish Government was established in 1999, following a referendum in 1997 in which the Scottish people voted in favor of establishing a devolved parliament with powers over certain areas of policy. This was a significant development in the United Kingdom's constitutional arrangement, leading to the creation of the Scotland Act 1998 which laid down the framework for devolution in Scotland.

Powers and Responsibilities

The Scottish Government's powers are defined by the Scotland Act 1998 and the Scotland Act 2016, which devolved further powers to Scotland. These powers include but are not limited to education, health, environment, justice, rural affairs, housing, and local government. Certain powers remain reserved to the UK Parliament, including foreign affairs, defense, and fiscal and economic policy.

Structure

The Scottish Government is made up of the First Minister, the Scottish Cabinet, and other ministers. The Cabinet is composed of the First Minister, the Deputy First Minister, and various Cabinet Secretaries who are responsible for specific policy areas. The government is supported by a civil service that implements its policies.

Legislation

Legislation in the devolved areas is passed by the Scottish Parliament and can be proposed by members of the Scottish Government or by other Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs). The First Minister has the responsibility to propose the Scottish Government's legislative program to the Parliament at the beginning of each session.

Finance

The Scottish Government's budget is determined through a combination of the Barnett Formula, which calculates adjustments to the amount of public expenditure allocated to Scotland by the UK Government, and revenues raised in Scotland through devolved taxes.

Current Initiatives

The Scottish Government undertakes various initiatives aimed at improving the lives of the people in Scotland. These include policies on improving public health, enhancing education, tackling climate change, and promoting economic growth.

Criticism and Challenges

The Scottish Government faces challenges and criticism in various areas, including its handling of the NHS Scotland, education outcomes, and economic performance. Debates on the extent of its devolved powers and the push for further devolution or Scottish independence also present ongoing challenges.

See Also

• Scottish Parliament
• First Minister of Scotland
• Devolution in the United Kingdom
• Scotland Act 1998
• Scotland Act 2016